2007 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN Owners Manual

Vehicle payload consists of the combined weight of the following:
x Passengers.
x Total luggage and other cargo.
x Roof load, including the roof rack system if permitted ⇒  Roof rack.
x Factory-installed or retrofitted accessories.
x Hitch weight and tongue weight for trailer towing ⇒  Loading the trailer.
Please refer to the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) and the Gross front and rear Axle Weight Ratings (GAWR) for your vehicle, which are printed on the vehicle's Safety Compliance Certification
Label on the driver door jamb ⇒  Important vehicle labels.
WARNING
Exceeding maximum permissible weight ratings can result in vehicle damage, accidents, and serious personal injury.
x Never let the actual weights at the front and rear axles exceed the permissible Gross Axle Weight Rating. Also, never let the total of these actual weights exceed the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating.
x Always remember that the vehicle's handling and braking will be affected by extra load and the distribution of this load. Adjust your speed accordingly.
NOTICE
x Always distribute the load evenly and as low as possible in the vehicle. The vehicle capacity weight figures apply when the load is distributed evenly in the vehicle (passengers and luggage).
x When transporting a heavy load in the luggage compartment, carry the load as close to the rear axle (as far forward) as possible so that the vehicle's handling and braking are affected as little as possible.

Luggage compartment

WARNING
Unsecured or incorrectly stowed items can fly through the vehicle, causing serious personal injury during hard braking or sharp steering or in an accident. Loose items can also be struck and thrown through the passenger compartment by the front airbags if they inflate. To help reduce the risk of serious personal injury:
x Always stow all objects securely in the vehicle. Always put luggage and heavy items in the luggage compartment.
x Always secure objects in the passenger compartment properly with suitable straps so that they cannot move into the deployment zone of a side or front airbag during a sudden braking, in a sudden maneuver, or in a collision.
x Always keep storage compartments closed while driving.
x Never stow hard, heavy, or sharp objects in the vehicle's open storage compartments, on the shelf behind the rear seat bench, or on the top of the instrument panel.
x Always remove hard, heavy, or sharp objects from clothing and bags in the vehicle interior and stow them securely in the luggage compartment.
WARNING
Transporting heavy objects causes the handling characteristics of the vehicle to change and increases braking distances. Heavy loads which are not properly stowed or secured in the vehicle can lead to a loss of vehicle control and cause serious person injury.
x Transporting heavy items causes the handling characteristics of the vehicle to change by shifting the vehicle's center of gravity.
x Always distribute luggage evenly and as low as possible within the vehicle. The vehicle capacity weight figures apply when the load is distributed evenly in the vehicle (passengers and luggage).
x Always stow luggage and heavy items in the luggage compartment as far forward of the rear axle as possible and secure them with appropriate straps to the tie-downs provided.
x Never exceed the vehicle's Gross Vehicle Weight Rating or Gross Axle Weight Ratings, which are printed on the Safety Compliance Certification Label located on the door jamb of the driver door. Exceeding the permissible weight can cause the vehicle to skid and behave differently.
x Always adapt your speed and driving style to accommodate your payload and its weight distribution within your vehicle.
x Be especially cautious and gentle when stepping on the accelerator pedal and avoid sudden braking and other maneuvers.
x Brake earlier than you would if you were not driving a loaded vehicle.
NOTICE
x The defroster heating wires or antenna in the rear window can be damaged by objects that rub against them.
The ventilation slots between the rear window and the luggage compartment cover must not be blocked so that stale air can escape from the vehicle.

Folding the rear seat backrest forward and back into place

Fig. 99 Folding the backrest forward and back.

WARNING
Improper folding and improper latching of the rear seat backrest can cause serious personal injury.
x Always make sure there are no people or animals in the area around the rear seat backrest when folding it forward.
x Never fold the rear seat backrest up or down while the vehicle is moving.
x When folding the rear seat backrest back up, make sure that the safety belt does not get caught or damaged.
x Keep hands, fingers, feet and other body parts out of the away when folding the rear seat backrest up and down.
x Each rear seat backrest must be securely latched into place in the upright position so that the safety belts on the rear seats can provide protection. This is particularly the case for the middle seat on the rear bench.
x If a seat is used with an unsecured backrest, the passenger will move forward together with the rear seat backrest during sudden braking, driving maneuvers, or a collision.
x No one, including children, may ride on the rear seats if the rear seat backrest is folded down or not correctly latched.
NOTICE
Before folding the rear seat backrest forward, adjust the front seats so that the rear seat's head restraint or backrest cushion will not touch the front seats.
NOTICE
Items in the luggage compartment could be damaged or cause damage when the rear seat is adjusted in the fore and aft direction.
Removing and reinstalling the rear seat

Fig. 100 Front attachment of the rear seat.

Fig. 101 Rear attachment of the rear seat.

4. Secure both seat rails of the rear seat in front and back with 2 hexagonal nuts each, tightening the nuts by hand - do not tighten them with the lug wrench yet.
5. Lift the right rear seat into the vehicle through the right rear door.
6. Set the seat rails of the rear seat first on the front anchoring studs and then on the rear studs.
7. Secure both seat rails of the rear seat in front and back with 2 hexagonal nuts each, tightening the nuts by hand - do not tighten them with the lug wrench yet.
8. To align the seat rails, press the left rear seat all the way to the left in the vehicle.
9. To align the seat rails, press the right rear seat all the way to the right in the vehicle.
10. Tighten the hexagonal nuts in the luggage compartment ⇒ fig. 101 (arrows) to 44 ft-lbs (60 Nm) using a torque wrench. If no torque wrench is available, tighten the hexagonal nuts using the lug wrench and have the torque checked at a qualified workshop as soon as possible.
11. Push the rear seats as far back as possible ⇒  Adjusting the rear seat.
12. Remove the hexagonal nuts in the rear of the footwell again, set the 3 plastic covers ⇒ fig. 100 on the studs and screw on with the hexagonal nuts.
13. Tighten the hexagonal nuts ⇒ fig. 100 (arrows) to 44 ft-lbs (60 Nm) using a torque wrench. If no torque wrench is available, tighten the hexagonal nuts using the lug wrench and have the torque checked at a qualified workshop as soon as possible.
14. Clip on the small covers (not pictured) on the hexagonal nuts ⇒ fig. 100 (arrows).
15. Install the foam insert and spare wheel in the vehicle ⇒  Compact spare wheel.
16. Install the luggage compartment floor ⇒  Variable luggage compartment floor.
17. Install the luggage compartment cover ⇒  Luggage compartment cover.
18. Install all rear head restraints ⇒  Adjusting the seating position.
WARNING
No one may ride in the back of the vehicle when the rear seat has been removed.
WARNING
An improperly installed rear seat can separate from its mountings during an accident.
x All securing bolts must be tightened to the specified torque after the rear seat has been installed.
CAUTION
Sharp-edged parts are located on the underside of the rear seat.
x Protect your hands when you lift the rear seat in or out.
NOTICE
x Have at least one person help to lift the rear seat in or out. One person should be in the vehicle and one outside.

x The lever ⇒ fig. 45 for the fore and aft adjustment of the rear seat must not be operated while the seat is removed. If the position of the fore and aft adjustment is changed, the rear seat can only be installed by a qualified workshop.
Luggage compartment cover

Fig. 102 Installing and removing the luggage compartment cover.